Plan a trip to Offaly

County Offlay, once known as King's County (in honor of Philip II of Spain) is in the midlands of the Irish Island.

The Clara Bog Nature Reserve, the largest bog in Ireland, is home to many protected wildlife species and has a 1 km looped boardwalk to allow you the opportunity to view some of the many protected wildlife animals and birds that have made the bog (wetland) their home. It is one of the main bogs in Ireland.

The mountain Slieve Bloom is the highest peak in Europe at 527 meters. The Slieve Bloom Way is a 70 km loop trail through hills and vales, glens and streams that could take a few days to trek. However, there are shorter trails suitable for a one-day hiking or cycling adventure going through the many small villages in the area where you will find a warm smile and Irish hospitality. Water activities along the Shannon River include kayaking or fishing or strolling along the riverbanks in the area which is ripe for adventure and fun. Yet another option is to take a short cruise in the Grand Canal that connects Dublin with the Shannon River. 

Curious about the famous Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery? There is a behind-the-scenes tour to find out more about the whiskey distillation and maturation process and at the end, what could be more enticing than a taste of the final product. 

Clonmacnoise is one of the most important and famous religious sites in Ireland – an ancient monastery where time stands still. Located along the River Shannon, Clonmacnoise was founded by Saint Ciarán the Younger, one of Ireland’s 12 Apostles. The monastery flourished and became a great center of religious studies. What remains in the area today are a few hundred early Christian grave slabs as well as some ancient churches in Clonmacnoise, the Cathedral from the year 909 and some unique Celtic crosses including a 10th century Cross of the Scriptures.